We continue to use Braşov as our base to explore more of the area.

Today we got to visit one of our key target locations for this visit – Bran Castle – the supposed home of Count Dracula.
Of course, Dracula is a fictional character by author Bram Stoker – but he drew on local superstitions and legends and added to the already existing infamy of the historical ruler Vlad Dracul “The Impaler” Țepeş, who was here in the late 1400s.

We are staying in a building constructed in the 1500s.. we’re up in the attic and have been admiring the original wooden beams and supports.  Brenda noted that the wooden sections are joined not by nails but by wooden stakes.
Even though we are staying about 15 miles from Bran Castle, we know we are safe should any bats or vampires make their way in.

Bran Castle –  construction began in 1377.  For several hundred years this castle served as a border crossing and tax collection point, when it wasn’t served as a garrison agains the dreaded Ottoman invaders from 1400-1650s.

Heading up to the top.. if Brenda can barely squeeze through these passageways, what chance do the rest of us have?

Out of the castle and heading toward the car – to run the gauntlet of souvenir stands.  Brenda is looking for something to take home for the kids.

Biserica Neagră (the Black Church) right next to our hotel.  It is so named from a 1689 fire that ruined the interior and blackened the exterior stones.  Construction began in the late 1300s as a Catholic church, but during the Reformation the Lutherans took over and it has been a Protestant church since 1530.

Tomb markers of local dignitaries long since gone.

We went shopping in the afternoon and then looked for a late lunch/early dinner.  We had our best meal on the trip (so far) at an authentic Romanian restaurant (Schnitzel, cabbage rolls, pickles and beer).  Brenda loaded up on small meat scraps so she could make friends with the local feline population all around town.